Zardari seeks $100b to offset economic crisis

NEW YORK-President Asif Ali Zardari is seeking 100 billion dollars from the international community as 'temporary relief' to offset Pakistan's economic difficulties resulting from high food and energy costs. 'I need your help', he said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, a major US newspaper preferred by business leaders. 'If we fall, if we can't do it, you can't do it', he said, referring to the threat posed by terrorists. In asking for the help, Zardari insisted that it not be described as aid. 'Aid is proven through the researches of the World Bank to be bad for a country', he added. 'I'm looking for temporary relief for my budgetary support and cash for my Treasury which does not need to be spent by me'. It is not something I want to spend. But it will stop the outflow of my capital every time there is a bomb, he said. In this situation, how do I create capital confidence, how do I create businessmen's confidence?, he asked. Referring to the terrorist attack on Marriott Hotel and its aftermath, Zardari again referrred to Pakistan's economic problems. 'If I can't pay my own oil bill, how am I going to increase my police?'. He said that the oil companies are asking him to pay $135 [per barrel] of oil and at the same time they want him to keep the world peaceful and Pakistan peaceful.